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Ford revived the traditional muscle car segment in 2005 with the then-new Mustang. Twenty years later, Ford is the only one keeping the traditional muscle car alive. The new Dodge Charger, also immediate successor to the Challenger(road test), has a six-in-line or even electric drive. The Camaro is completely gone. The current, seventh-generation Ford Mustang – in addition to a 2.3-liter four-cylinder – is simply available again with a 5.0-liter V8. In fact, that is the only engine officially offered in Europe (and thus also in the Netherlands). Not great for the bpm, but great for the experience.

Small additional cost for the top model

Precisely that sky-high bpm creates an interesting effect in the Netherlands. On the one hand, that purchase tax brings the starting price to 137,400 euros. That is something to swallow. On the other hand, you then have to add “only” 12,950 euros for the 334 kW (453 hp) powerful top model Dark Horse. If you are in this price range anyway, the choice is easily made: you take the final step to that Dark Horse as well.

The Dark Horse is also the version I get from Ford. A pre-production example, hence the smaller spoiler. This is probably the last (traditional) muscle car officially for sale in the Netherlands, so I also want to enjoy it to the max. With the top model and … a drive to the Nürburgring. The offer to join a meeting there with Mustang Dark Horses, organized by the Ford Performance Club Belgium & Luxembourg, I won’t turn down, of course.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse makes an immediate impression

The enjoyment begins even before we have driven a meter. After pressing the start button, an imposing, dark rumble sounds. Enhanced by keeping the revs a little higher shortly after starting. By the way, the exhaust also has a silent mode, handy for when you drive through your neighborhood early in the morning or late at night. Other than that, we wouldn’t know why you would want to muffle the sound. Higher in the revs, the dark rumble swells to a hammering roar. I could get used to this.

The Dark Horse is available with six-speed manual transmission and with the familiar ten-speed automatic. I drive the manual transmission. The clutch is communicative, with just the right amount of heaviness. Shifting is a bit choppy, but with a pleasant firmness. The suspension – in Comfort driving mode – offers a good balance between sporty firmness and comfortable damping. It is a bit harder than the average car, but that makes for a good experience of speed.

So it’s not uncomfortable, but I do wonder how long the tight-fitting Recaro sport seats will remain comfortable on the long highway drive ahead. That concern proves unwarranted, although it depends a bit on your stature. After all, the seat cheeks are not adjustable. In my case, fortunately, they offer a just-right fit.

Driving assistants …

Along the way, I quickly make a stop to turn off some “assistance systems. The lane guidance in itself intervenes nicely subtly (Ford is one of the better ones in this), but a little too prematurely. Much more annoying are the unwarranted warnings that I should keep my hands on the wheel. Fortunately, lane assist can be turned off with a hotkey on the steering wheel.

Also annoying is the legally required speed warning, which already beeps at 1 km/h “too fast. Disabling this unfortunately requires five actions to enter all kinds of menus. The first time, it is also difficult to find which menus to use. That’s why I parked the car for a while. After every restart of the engine you have to do this again – because of legislation. Eventually you know your way through the menus quickly, but why isn’t there just a hotkey for this as well?

Ford Mustang Dark Horse is surprisingly … economical?

What the Mustang positively surprises with is consumption. Not the most important aspect of a car like this, but still. The WLTP consumption is 12.2 l/100km (1 on 8.2), but after driving nicely at 100 km/h for a while, to my surprise, the trip computer shows a consumption of 8.5 l/100km (1 on 11.8). That is quite a big difference – in a positive sense. On the Autobahn – in this case at 130 km/h – the consumption does increase slightly, but it remains well above 1 on 10.

Even driving fun in traffic jams

At the inevitable Baustelle, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse proves to be driving fun even in traffic jams. The automatic intermediate throttle when downshifting (can also be turned off) is not necessary in these conditions, but it sounds nice. The same goes for the almost Scania V8-like rumble that sounds at low revs.

Mustang meeting at the Ring

At the Nürburgring, we meet with ten other Ford Mustang Dark Horse owners on the initiative of the Ford Performance Club. Although the club focuses on Belgium and Luxembourg, several Germans are also among the party. The Ford Performance Club even arranged circuit beast Dark Horse R as well. After gathering in the parking lot, it’s time to head onto the Ring. To be honest, some excitement does arise now. I have some track experience, but the Nürburgring is in a class of its own. The legendary track isn’t nicknamed The Green Hell for nothing. Besides, the Mustang has to stay in one piece even more than other test cars, because it has already been sold.

Fortunately, that all turns out to be not so bad. First, the Ring has been rented for us and we start with two laps for photography. So there is no other traffic and we can quietly get to know the circuit. Even if we are then allowed to drive a few laps freely, we are not supposed to really race and push the limits.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse gets the spurs

Still, there is certainly room to let go of the reins and give the Mustang the spur. Even at higher speeds the handling in the challenging curves of the Ring turns out fine. In this respect, the traditional muscle car has really made strides in recent years; this is simply at “German level. Moreover, the Mustang is communicative and therefore surprisingly accessible.

Thanks in part to the close-fitting sports seats, you have a good sense of what the car is doing. Rider and horse are almost one. The gearbox ratios are also (very) long, allowing you to drive almost any speed in any gear. So even when the curves of the Ring momentarily demand your attention, you don’t easily put in the wrong gear. It is almost a CVT, in the positive sense of the word. Whatever gear you choose, the V8 converts its power and pulling power into acceleration. With delicious soundtrack.

(Not) out with the fun

After three laps, the party is over. That doesn’t matter, because three laps of Nürburgring means about 60 kilometers of pure driving pleasure, especially in a Mustang. On the return trip home, it proves once again that it can also transport you comfortably over long distances despite its sporty approach.

After the Nürburgring adventure, two days remain in the Netherlands to enjoy (after) the Mustang. Hardly anywhere in the Netherlands can you really tap into its potential, but thanks to its great soundtrack, even at low speeds you’ll find yourself with a big smile on your face. Once again, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse proves to be driving fun at any speed.

Where is that party…?

The price tag ensures that we will probably see the new Ford Mustang very rarely in the Netherlands. That is a shame, because this is perhaps the Mustang at its best. In terms of handling and interior finishes, the time-honored muscle car is now truly on the European level, while the V8 still provides the traditional driving experience that is the great attraction of a muscle car. That compact hatchback may be named after a party, but the Mustang really is.

Event at the Nürburgring and accompanying photos at the track courtesy of the Ford Performance Club.